(A) Authority is hereby granted to the Nash County Board of Health to establish and maintain an animal control program, to employ animal control officers and other employees as shall be determined necessary by the Board of Health and to appoint and compensate animal control officers and other employees in accordance with policies of the Board of Health.
(B) The employees of the animal control program shall:
(1) Have the responsibility along with law enforcement agencies to enforce all laws of North Carolina and all ordinances of Nash County pertaining to animals and shall cooperate with all law enforcement officers within Nash County in fulfilling this duty;
(2) Enforce and carry out all laws of North Carolina and all ordinances of Nash County pertaining to rabies control;
(3) Be responsible for the investigation of all reported animal bites, for the quarantine of any dog or cat involved and suspected of having rabies for a period of not less than ten days and for reporting to the Nash County Health Director as soon as practicable the occurrence of any animal bite and the condition of any quarantined animal;
(4) Be responsible for the operation of the animal shelter;
(5) Be responsible for the seizure and impoundment, where deemed necessary, of any dog or other animal in Nash County involved in a violation of this subchapter or any other county ordinance or state law;
(6) Investigate cruelty or abuse with regard to animals;
(7) Make canvasses of the county, including the homes in the county, as necessary for the purpose of ascertaining compliance with this subchapter or state statute;
(8) Keep or cause to be kept, accurate and detailed records of:
(a) Seizure, impoundment and disposition of all animals coming into custody of the animal control program;
(b) Bite cases, violations and complaints and investigation of same;
(c) All monies belonging to the Health Department or county which were derived from fees, penalties, sales of animals or other sources; and/or
(d) Any other matters deemed necessary by the Health Director and County Manager.
(9) Be empowered to issue notices of violation of this subchapter in the form as the Health Director may prescribe.
(1988 Code, § 91.26) (Ord. passed 11-4-1986)